Indicator means for use on recreation-grounds or race-courses



A.v wATKINsoN.

INDICATOR MEANS FOB USE 0N RECREATION GROUNDS 0R RACE COLIRSES. APPLICATION FILED Npv. 3, 1919.

Patented Oct. M, 1921.`

i l4 SHEETSAHEE'T I.

/LBErrr Warm/vaan A. wAKlNsoN.

INDICATOR MEANS FOR USE 0N RECREATION GROUNDS OR RACE COURSES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3| 1919.

4 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

. 3 I w f Z e al v j' I ,l lA. vvATkxNsoN. INDICATOR MEANS FOR USE 0N RECREATION GROUND-S 0R RACE COURSES. APPLICATION FILE-D NOV- 3| 1919.

1,393,414., H Patented @et III, WZL

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

A.v WATKINSON. mmc/non MEANS Foa use om RECREATION GnouNns 0R RACE couass. APPLICTIN FILED NOV. 3| |919.

1,393,44w Patented 001;. M, 19M..

SHEETS-SHEET 4.

f `race,'tlie number of the race, starting Vtime f y ALBERT WA'rKiivsoN, or irrnnroiv, Aus'rRALIA.

INDICATOR MEANS FOR USE N `RECREA'IION'-GROUND?. OR RACE-COURSES.

nassaui.

To all fw hom t may concern Be -it known that l, ALBERT WATKINsoN, a

subject of the King of `Grreat Britain, residing at Kyneton7 `in the State of Victoria, Australia, have invented `certainnew and 'useful improvements in Indicator Means for use in `Recreation Grounds or Race-Courses,

of which the following is a specification.

The present invention refers to boards erected on recreation grounds for the pur-A pose of providing visiblenotices to the pub- 'lic regarding the events to be contested and consists principally in indicating the distinctive .number `of the starters and when used in connection with horse races, means are provided, registering opposite each of i said numbers, for. exhibiting thename of the respective Ijockey and other information desired by the patrons of `the sport.` @ther notices than those `mentioned may also be displayed inspecial placesonvthe board as for instance results,tim`e occupied by each and, whenthe event is over, signs are exhibited regardingcorrectness of weight,

`protests and decisions or appeals thereon.

In addition, general notices may be exhibited as for instance a request for attendance of a medical practitioner.

y Furthermore a portion of the board which is preferable arranged in advance `ofthe main portion of the board is.` utilized lto show,` `during the time occupiedover the sports, the scratchings of contestants as regards all the events of a program and the `results of each event.

Briefiyrstated the essential structural feature of theindicator board according to this manual control .i position. i rihese invention consists in the use of vertically operable counterweighted plates bearing `numbers or` the like controlled from a dis- .tance asby. flexibleconnecting `means atspecification of Letters raient.

Patentedfct. 1i, 192i.-

Applicaton filed November 3, 1919. Serial No. 335,458.

a plurality oflines of quincuncially alr- .ranged or .horizontally staggered pockets `or cells each to contain one of the before "mentioned number-plates. lThe pockets are of rectangularform each having its bottom `edge sloping downwardly .and outwardlyl to form an outward runway for rain water.

The top of the pocket is slotted or otheri wise arranged for the entrance and withdrawal in a vertical plane of the counterweighted number lplate which when in the withdrawn and raised position is completely housed behind the face of the board. The back of the board is closed preferably by sheets of corrugated iron .which can be readily removed if interior inspection or adjustment is required.

Where one-pocket is to be used for displaying diiferent notices, as at the top of the board, each ofthe notice plates would be arranged one behind the other and separately controlled.

The control or operative means for theV display plates maybe assembled in convenient position the rear or front of the board at its base and each would bear an indication correspondingto the plate which it controis; for dropping` into view in consecutive order any number of number plates and imme-` diately afterward recording scratchings.

Arranged closely adjacent to each vertical line. of pockets,in the case. of .a board used for horse race meetings, is a suitably guided vertical panel extending the full vertical height of said line, and if required below the lowermost number plate. This panel is also counterweighted and capable of being drawn downwardly for-the purpose of attaching jookeys naine plates thereon. This attachment can conveniently beeffected by providing on `theface ofthe panel iianged Automatic means are also provided or channeled containers or bent lugs each adaptedlto register opposite a pocket when the panel is raised. The plate is slipped into` the retaining device with portion of same projecting beyond and overlying the blank space provided therefor on the board consequent upon the staggeredarrangement of the number pockets.

A similar extended panel may be provided at each side of the `board on which results and time or notices of a general character .ings and results of all events of program maybe arranged at each side of the singleevent portion of the board or immediatelyv below same but as previously stated` it is preferably detached and erected 1n front of the lower or unused portion ef the mam board. On account of economy of space the number plates preferably slide horizontally into or out of pockets and can be attended to by the man operating theV panels.

The above description defines the essential characteristics of the present invention, practical embodiments of which are depicted in the attached sheets of drawings.

' In these drawings- Figure 1 is a front elevation of one arrangement of the main portion of the board; Fig. 2 a horizontal section on line II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 a vertical section on line III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4: a vertical section on line IV of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 an enlarged detail section of parts shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 an enlarged detail elevation of `parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 a horizontal section of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 a vertical section of F ig. 6;

Fig. 9 an enlarged detail of the means for operating lthe number plates;

Fig. 10 a detail illustrating the method of operating the vertical slides simultaneously;

Fig. :11 is an elevation of the complete indicator vmeans according to preferred arrangement and i Fig. 12 is a Side elevation (broken) of the lower portion of the structure;

Fig. 13 is anv enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the all-events scratching indicator;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section line XIV and Y Fig. 15 is a horizontal sectionof the same of Fig. 13 on vfigure on line XV;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary elevation drawn to enlarged scale on the back of themain single .event scratching board illustrating an automatic means for operating the nurnber plates;

Fig. 17 is a plan of Fig. 16;

Fie. 18fis a vertical section On line XVIII of Fig. 17

Fig. 19 is a detail view illustrating the operation of the scratching traveler;

Fig. 2O is a diagrammatic view illustrating the means for operating at a convenient position behind the board, the hands of the starting-time indicator erected at the top of the single event scratching board;

Fig. 21 is a plan view of Fig. 20. Fig. 22 is a fragmentary View of a guide bearin shown in Figs. 9, 16, 17 and 18.

- In the drawings (a) and (b) designate the front and rear sides of the structure (Fig. 3) which is partitioned longitudinally the number of such partitions corresponding to the number of vertical lines of pockets (CZ) in the front of the structure. These partitions are divided transversely to form a separate housing (e) for each number plate( f). The front face and pockets are preferably constructed of sheet metal for rendering the structure watertight and the bottom of each pocket is sloped downwardly and outwardly as shown in Fig. 3 being supported upon a wooden plate (g) on the under surface of which is attached the pulleys (g1) over which passes the operating chain or wire (g2) of the next lower number plate.

The plates (f) are counterweighted at the bottom edge (f1) and the chain or other flexible connection is attached to the rear of same, from which after passing over the pulleys they are carried to the control position as for instance at the basal portion (g3) of the structure (see Fig. 3). A. convenient means for use in operating the plates is shown in Figs. 9, 16, 17 and 18 which illustrate an extended bolt two of which are shown in Fig. 9 the one on the left hand side being in the lowered position when its corresponding number plate would lbe raised and obscured in its particular housing, andthe other bolt in the opposite or raised position when the associated plate is visible in its pocket on the board. The curved finger piece (g5) on each of said bolts engages under a stop piece (5x6) when in the raised position and when lowered the bolt or rod g4 is partially rotated to cause the nger piece g5 to register in a notch g? formed in the edge of guides g2() provided for the bolts as in Figs. 9 and 22. Upon each of the stops g a plate g8 is provided bearing an indication corresponding to the number plate controlled by the bolt g4.

In order to drop all the number plates of the main board into view it is necessary, according` to the construction described, to release by hand each finger piece (g5) from its respective notch (g77). This operation however may be conveniently carried out automatically by the means illustrated in Figs. 16, 17, 18 and 19.

' In this construction a T-section guide rail (m) is mounted horizontally close to and slightly below the :notches (97)` and upon u said railV ismounted a flanged slide (m1) `provided `with a traction cord (m2) passed over oneormore pulleys (m3) and operated by a weight (m4). When drawn back into operating position `lthe slide 4is retained by a suitable catchsuch as apin (m5.) dropped into a hole `formed in the rail (m) and when .released the slide abuts against a removable `stop (ma) `placed in `one or other of a series of holes (m7) formed in the guide rail.

Upon `the slide, an arm (m3)v is mounted `ona pivot (m9) said arnrhaving a laterally Nandxupwardly projecting lug (m10) curved on one edge as illustrated. rlhe arm is normally held stationary on the slide as for instance by means of an offset (m11) provided with a `pin (m12) that fits in a hole formed in the slide. 'lhe linger pieces (g5) which are preferably curved slightly are `when retained inthe notches (g7) formed in the semicircular-guide bearings (gw) proqjecting in thepath Iof travel of the lug (m10) so that when the pin (m5) `is released `said lug during the travel of the slide by reason `of the weight along the rail,

successively releases the finger pieces g5 from` the notches (97) and `causes* therequired number or indicator plates (f) to drop into viewin the pockets (d) in consecutive order. j It lwill be understood that the stop pin (m6) is moved into one or other of the holes (m7) according to the number of entrants `of an event.` a 1 r In order Ato return the `slide to' starting position y without interfering` with y subsequently lowered finger pieces g5) the offset (m11) is lifted suiciently to release the pin (m12) and the armf(`ml8) swung on its pivot (m9) as indicated inbrolren lines Fig. 17.

` Operating in conjunction with the just described automatic mechanism for displaying the number plates of the entrants of an event7 Vmeanspare provided for immediately recording the scratchings. This consists of fa scratchingslide (s) Figs. 16,` 17 and 19 flanged to engage and travel when released *along the rail (m) after the slide (mi) has performed Aits function. The scratching slide whenreleased from a retaining catch (815) travels through -the medium cfa cord or the like (S16) attached to said slide passing over one or more pulleys "and operated by a weight s2. Projecting downwardly from ione side of the scratching `slide is a plate (s3) provided with an inwardly pro- `jecting horizontal cam (s4) with its forward edge inclinedto the line of travel, said plate `being hingedfat (e5) to the slide and nor-v mally secured in `operating positionby a Spin (S6) or other `fastening device.

`Fixed to ltherailA (wt) opposite each operating bolt` (g4) of the display plates (f) `isla vertically disposed bent wire support r`(-s?)fcurved downwardly asat (812)toward its free end,.s,aid support beingused for the suspension therefrom of a weight (S8) having an elongated looped shank `(3)whi'ch thereof as illustrated in Fig. 19.

`Each bolt (gt) is formed at its lower eX- tremity with a hook (S11) so that whenthe scratching slide (s) advances along therail (m) its inclined cam (et) strikes the shank (8) ofthe weight and causes it to slide down the curved `portion S12 of the bent wire support and drop on the'hook (811). Thus the weight (S8) is transferred to the bolt g4 and being made heavier than the display plate (f) withv which it is associated, the flexible connection g2 is pulled and said plate `rises from its pocket into an unexposed position thus indicating a scratched entrant.

It will beunderstoodwith the foregoing automatic control mechanism .described and illustrated in Figs. 16, 17, 18 and 19, the release and travel of first operating slide (m1) `causes all the required display platesV to be consecutively dropped into view in the pockets and immediately afterwardv the scratching slide (8) follows along the guide rail and by contact with the shanlrs of weights (es) "hung on the supports (87),

`causes the bolts (g4) corresponding with the weights (8S) to be drawn down and thus `obscure the respective number or indicator some time before an event the operator has abundance of 4time to set the scratching weights (38) on the supports corresponding with the number plates of scratched entrants of an event.

According to one convenient arrangement theslide (m1) may be utilized when atthe end of its travel to release the scratching slide (a) and accordingly a wire rod (m13) is supported in'guides along the rail m) and provided with a stop (S16) placed a jacent the stop (m0) and adapted` to be engaged by the forward end of the setting slide (m1) when terminating its travel. other end of the wire rod is similarly formed and a projection (S14) which when the rod is slid forwardly contacts with and releases a bevel pivoted catch (S15) Afrom engagement with the scratching slide (s) thereby allowing the latter to travel along the rail and perform its function.

"In order to return the slide (s) its side plate (s3) is released and swung on its pivot (S5).

ltwill be evident that although weights are employed as the simplest device to draw The o the' slides along the rail the same object may be accomplished by other mechanism or manually by drawing the traction cords. Furthermore it will be evident that either one orthe other of the slides and its associated elements may be dispensed with if preierredin which case one of the two distinct operations would be carried out manually.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 5 the means for guiding the number plate (f) consist of suitably iiXed parallel rods f on which run the eyes f2 attached to the rear face of the plates. The side edges of the plates may also be arranged to run in guide strips f3.

The vertical panels (Z9) arranged between the vertical lines of the pockets (d) and one at each side of the board extend from the top to the vlowest line of pockets.

and to which slats are aiiiXed the containers (p3) formed of a flat strip bent over at the top andr bottom edges and at one end as shown to form groovesto receive a sheath (p4) for an indicator or display plate (p5). .The transverse distance between said edges is greater than the width of the sheath p4 and in the groove formed at the top edge of the container (p3) is fitted a downwardly curved 'leaf spring (p6) which bears upon the top .edge of the sheath (294) and retains same level (see Fig. 6). The panel (2?) is guided by pipes p7 located one at each side of same and iXed to a bearer p8 attached to the backing plate p (see Figs. 6 and 7).

The panels (p) are each connected at the top" to a wire or chain (p19) passing over a pulley (p10) dependent from the frame member (p11) of the board (see Fig. 4) said wire being connected to a terminal-counter- Weight (p12).

The panel (19) located at the left side ofthe board (Fig. 1) is used for displaying notices of a general character to register over the underlying blank space at the entreme left of the board andthe containers (703) of such panel are reversed as the display or indicator plates (p5) project from the left side thereof.

Where several indicator plates are used which their suspension wires run may be arranged on a common spindle (d1).

Each of the containers (p3) bears on its tace (see Fig. l) an indication corresponding to the number plate against which it registers so that when the panel (p) is lowered there will be no diiiiculty in determining into which container a particular plate (p5) should be inserted.

The panels (p) may be operated independently or simultaneously from the bottom ends by connecting together the slats (p2) (see Fig. 10) by a readily removable cross bar (p13) to which is attached a divided pull rope or wire (p14) to the junction of which is attached a wire passine to a hand actuated winch (p15) (Fig. 4 contained in a housing (p16) at the rear of the board.

As a permanent arrangement and according to the preferred form of the invention the panels (p) may be fixed in a frame (17924) Figs. 11 and 12 to slide in guides (p44) up and down the face (a) oi the main board the rope or wire (p14) being connected to the top of the frame and passing over a pulley (p25) and connected with the winch (p15) (Fig. 4). Ropes (pw) attached to the top of the trame pass over pulleys (p27) and are provided at their ends with weights to partially counterbalance the weight of the frame.

By means of this construction the whole frame can be lowered out of sight of the public behind a screen or the detached allevents portion of the scratching board arranged as in Fig. 12. Thus the display plates may be fitted to the panels out of view of the public and subsequently raised or retained in lowered position if' not rcquired as in pedestrian spoi'ts. Moreover indicator plates of considerably greater length may be employed than is the case in the form ot the invention shown in Fig. 1 and consequently apart from jockeys names the plates may contain further information desired by the public such as, starting position, weight allowance, penalty weight and over weight. In addition one vertically sliding side panel (p28) may be independent of the frame (p24) and wider than the left hand side panel shown in Fig. 1 and utilized for fixing thereto plates (p5) exhibiting special notices between races and the numbers or' placed competitors oi the race and the time immediately after the event.

The indicator preferably incorporates means for exhibiting the scratchings for all events and the results of the latter and for this purpose the board is either extended in any direction to provide space for this information or this portion ot the indicator means may be provided by the erection of an all-events scratching board a few feet in advance of the single-event scratching board as illustrated in Figs. 11-15 of the drawings. The objects of separating the two portions of the boai'd are that the person operating the panels may also operate the all-events board and the operator is obscured from view during this work. This all-events board is suitably framed and formed with a panel (w1) for each event and each panel contains vertical rows of slide plates (co2) numerically marked, each mounted to slide into or out of an exposed position and be concealed when not required in a pocket In the practical construction as illustrated in Figs. 13-15 theA plates are provided on their back with studs (104) which project through horizontal guide slots (Q05) formed in the back plate (we) of the board, said studs being riveted to the flanges (fwf) of a finger grip (w8) provided for the manipulation of the slide plates (wg). Below each panel (w1) an opening (wg) is formed (Fig. l1) which is fitted with a plate (w10) to exhibit the numbers of the placed horses of the respective events and the time taken.

Figs. 20 and 21 show convenient means' for operating at a distance the hands of the clock-faced dial (25) elevated on the board and used for indicating the starting time of an event. As illustrated a duplicate (t1) of the dial (t) is located at a convenient position at the rear of the main board and faced in opposite direction to the indicator dial (t). The minute and hour hands on each dial are xedrespectively to separate spindles (152) (t3), and (154) (255) provided with pulleys (156) (t7), (15B) (159). Crossed endless cords or belts (2510) (1511) from pulleys 15G t7 pass around pulleys (t1-2) (tls) and fixed on the spindles of the latter are pulleys 15,14) (1515) connected by endless cords (1516) :517) respectively with the pulleys (t9) and (15S).

Thus by rotating the hands of the device (t1) to show a particular time, the hands of the starting time indicator on the face of the boardnear the top thereof are correspondingly altered.

It is to be clearly understood that I do not restrict myself to the particular practical forms and details of construction above and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:

l. Inan indicator, the combination with a frame divided into rows of separate divisions and each division having pockets provided with an exposure opening; of .indicator plates housed from view in said pockets above said opening;` counterweighted flexible means for each plate, and means means to normally hold the plate concealed behind said frame above its pocket and means to automatically release all of the latches. j

3. In an indicator, the combination with a frame divided into vertical rows of separate divisions and each division; including an open-faced pocket; of a gravity actuated indicator plate for veach pocket, counterweighted flexible actuating means foreach plate, and a latching device for each of said means to normally hold the plate concealed behind the frame abo-ve its pocket, means to automatically release all of the latches, and means for automatically raising one or more of the dropped plates.

4f. In an indicator, the combination with a frame divided into vertical rows of separate divisions and each division including an open-faced pocket; of a gravity operated indicator plate for each division, a flexible actuating rod for each plate terminating in a hook a railextending across the bars, removable weights, supports for said weights, one adjacent each hook, and means slidable on said bar to transfer weights on the supports to the respective hooks.

5. In an indicator, the combination witha frame having divisions quincuncially arranged, each division including anV openfaced pocket, vertical panels between the vertical rows of divisions, plate holders slidable in said panels, flexible means for raising said holders, panels in said plate holders projecting over` the space between divisions of a vertical row of divisions on one side of a panel and in alinement with a pocket on the other side of said panel. Y

6. In an indicator, the combination with a frame divided into vertical rows of separate divisions having pockets provided with exposure openings' of indicator plates housed in said pockets above the exposure openings, counterweighted flexible means for each plate, means for holding said plates in raised position, and vertically movable name carriers alternating with said vertical rows of pockets and movable in relation to various exposure openings of said rows.

Dated this 25th day of August, A. D. 1919. 

